The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-12-01

status was that Of diaarmed prisoners OF war,
instead OF armed soldiers on duty. When
Twigcs had surrendered his troops, il was moth
ing the rebel conspirators thought to march
column across 10 New Mexico and repeat the
same farce with Col. Lorinc's command. The
New Mexico scheme failed. except in one case
where a Major surrendered without a decent
fight. under circumstances which led many 10
believe him a traitor, although he was restored
70 the army after summary dismissal.
The effort 90 gain strength for the rebel
forces from the enlisted men was dismal fail
ure, ana SO wholly unexpected by the rebels
that Il adds 90 the honor ol the men of ls6l.
As written above the total force Of enlisted
men at the time treated OF was l53Oa OF All
arms OF this number but l3 left the flag and
Joined the rebels IN spite OF the temptations OF
rank and money rewards offered; and TINS IN
cludcs five whose Southern birth or Affiliations
led them TO take that course. This was less
than one 10 L. I77. and contrasts glaringy with
the fact that OF the .03S commissioned officers
at that time, 3l3, or more than one 10 three,
deserted the colors. In fact more commis-
stoned officers of Northern birth deserted south
than all Of tho enlisted men that did soi Tor
Northern officers, too, were allured by oilers ol
increased rank.
A few facts CLEANED from the War Depart
mont 60 further to prove that u was
TRUE DEVOTION To THEIR FLAG
and LOYALTY TO their country that kept that
gallant little band in line foI the Union, aud
NOT. as the writer has heard urged, the eXpec-
tation or hope Of commissions In our own Reg
uar Army.
Promotions from the ranks were worry few
and wretchedly far apart in the days prior TO
1851 When the war broke out there were but
81 officers who had been promoted from the
ranks, and every one had reached his shoulder
straps by one or more specially gallant deeds,
and not merely by long and faithful service.
Of these the senior was a Captain then ana
the only one in any Of the staff departments
and there were only seven more VINO haa
reached that grade Ten Others were First
Iieuienanis aud nine were Second bieutenants
Not one of these went South Thus, there was
but little 10 hope for Of promotion ahead, aud
when Ia the new order Of things IN the ad-
minisEation OF the army, promotion dld come
60 some, il was a genuine surprise The 10y
atty OF these men had been from sense OF duty
and devotion to their flag, and not from ex-
pectation of advancement.
In this new order OF things the attention OF
the officials at headquarters was brought TO
numerous instances OF loyalty, and during ls6l
the names of 50 enlisted men were transferred
30 the list OF commissioned officers, one, nergt
Edward Collins, of the Engineers, being
MADE AT ONCE A FIRST LIEUTENANT
ia the new 18th Inf, and by July, 1862, the
were IN service when the war broke out but
this number did not comprise all Of those
whose services were worthy OF reward. Sew
eral others declined the commissions sent
them aud very many Others took service in
other directions. The volunteers OF ls6l-62
had many officers that came from the ranks OF
the army Whenever Union State desired
the service of a worthy man as commissioned
officer the man was discharged TO take such
service.
Many OF the men were utilized in clerical
positions i'm the War Department, where they
ably replaced Others whose loyalty WAS clouded
by suspicion. Some Of these loyal men still
hold responsible positions in the Department,
and one wears a grand medal of honor for
deed worth special mention.
The 6th Inf, which was one Of the regiments
surrendered in Texas by Iwiggs, had Us head
quarters al san Antonio, where Corpl John {.
Hesse, OF Co. A, was on clerical duty with First
Lieut.. Edward /. Hartz. the rcgimental Adju-
tant A few days after the surrender Corpl
Hesse went with Lieut.. Hartz and Serg't- Maj.
John X. Wilson (atterward Lieutenant in
the same regimont TO the Adjutaut's Office,
where the regimental records aud property
was still deposited. The regimcntal colors
stood in place, emblaz0ned with the names
OF the actions the command had SO calamity
participated In IN Indian and Mexican wars,
and ID went 10 Hesse's heart TO think OF their
to save them. But how2 A heavy guard of
rebel troops was at the door, and the streets
were full of others. The Adiutant and Ser
Peant-N Major approved the wish, and they en-
gagged the attention OF the guard while Hesse
STRIPPED OFF BLOUSE AND SHIRT
and, taking the colors from the staff, wrapped
them about his body before replacing his cloth
ing, and walked away safely. hcsse was trans
ferTed 10 the Adjutant- Generals Office on
f1 II. F..fT
vision there.
An old Sergeant Of the ID Inf, who was sta
TONED IN those times on the Northern frontier,
tells Of efforts made there as well TO tempt the
men away. There was frequent and noisy dis
cnssion in the barracks over passing political
events and the prospects ahead, and the men
were divided in politics as men will be every
where, bat, despite the temptations held out,
when the time came the men marched shoul-
der 10 shoulder away 10 take part IN the great
struggle, and not a man there deserted his flag.
The cOmspirat0rs were surprised at their lack
OF success la gaining the men over 10 the rebel
side, and Opned that they were controlled by
the presence of their officers, who remained
loyal In Texas they were SO well convinced
Of this that some time after the surrender the
captured troops at San Antonio were removed
some distance away from the city aud separated
from their officers. None but rebel officers
were allowed near them, aud they were brought
particularly under the influence OF those under
whom they had formerly served. The amount
Of success that followed may be best told by an
excerpt from the report OF Col Isaac " ID.
Reeve, sth Inf, on this subject, as follows
with the exception OF five or six, they re-
mained faithful 10 their Government, aud
refused all offers and inducements TO
JOIN THE CONFEDERATE SERVICE"
This work was done under Gen. Earl Van
Dorm who had been cavalry Major in our
SERVICE by Maj. Sackield Macklin, who had
delayed bis own resignation as Paymaster until
he bad a. u. S. Commissioner" helped carry
out Twicgs's surrender, aud then secured
$4,000 more Z. S. money from New Orleans tC
let fbe Tcbels seize by force"
The commanding officer of light battery in
Texas wrote 10 Gen. Braxton Bragg Cso th,
latter averred) that he tthe Captain) would
Join the G0nlederacy, and he could take hi,
whole command over When the attempt wai
made the men OF the battery took such Iowa
action IN The matter that the Captain took only
himself over 10 the Conedcracy"
Cen Bragg, who was commanding nj New
Orleans telee eraphed JEFF DAVIS Feb 25 1851
regarding the surrendered troops coming nortl
from the Rio Grande, THAT they would reacl
there very soon. "Shall they be allowed q
land2 be asks "Wbat shall do IN the mat
teri A large number OF these officers ant
men can probably be secured FOR your service
Davis replied through his Secretary Of War tina
as many as were willing TO join the C0nfederac,
should be accepted, but action must be CAREFUL i
..aT.. ii